Southern Vietnam - March 2020

Originally the trip had been planned as a 16 day trip for Southern and Central Vietnam, travelling from Ho Chi Minh City up to Da Nang. However due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic and increasing travel restrictions within Vietnam, the trip was not able to proceed beyond Da Lat. I had to travel back to Australia, after 9 days of birding, in order to avoid being stranded in Vietnam or in Malaysia on the way back.

Blue Pitta (adult male)

In planning the trip, some 9 months earlier, I had approached four local Vietnam birding companies for proposals. The initial plan was for three birders, myself plus Desireé and Marius Davis from South Africa. A fourth birder was added to the trip although later she had to withdraw due to COVID-19 concerns. One company, Vietnam Birding run by Richard Craik, was already fully booked for March 2020, so that left three birding companies. The proposed trip costs were similar for all three companies and the selection was made on the basis of the proposed itinerary, experience of the guide and feedback from previous trip reports. The trip costs were about 40% less than a standard Rockjumper tour with a large group of 8 birders.

We decided on using Duc Tien Bui (Tien) of Vietnam Pitta Tours (vietnampittatours.com). This proved to be an excellent choice with the trip being one of the best tours I have done to SE Asia. Despite being a shortened trip, we managed to get all the key endemic and near-endemic species and subspecies for the areas visited, mainly the Dalat Plateau specials. This included the recently split Annam Prinia which was a nice bonus and the Oriental Bay Owl which I didn’t think I would see.

All the species and subspecies in this trip report are according to the latest IOC taxonomy (updated Jan 20). The near-endemic species typically only occur in Vietnam and neighbouring Cambodia.

The 16-day itinerary commenced in HCMC, leaving early in the morning with birding in a forest on the way to Cat Tien NP. The proposed itinerary included:

a)      Cat Tien NP – 3 nights
b)     Di Linh – 1 night
c)      Da Lat – 3 nights (stayed for 5 nights during actual trip)
d)     Yok Don NP – 2 nights
e)     Mang Den – 2 nights
f)       Ngoc Linh NP - 2 nights at Tu Mo Rong
g)      Bach Ma NP – 2 nights

For birding I was hoping to get between 20 and 25 lifers for the 16 day trip and ended up with 26 lifers for the 9 days. Overall, I recorded 216 species for the trip which was more about the quality of the birds rather than the quantity. As we used bird hides in a number of locations, we managed to get some excellent photo opportunities.

In Cat Tien National Park, we also had good views of Black-shanked Douc Langur (endangered near-endemic) and Golden-cheeked (Red-cheeked) Gibbon (endemic).

Prior to Vietnam, I had been birding for three weeks in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in NE India, so flew from India to Kuala Lumpur and then onto HCMC using Malaysian Airlines. I then flew directly from Da Lat to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia before returning to Australia on Malaysian Airlines to face 14 days of self-isolation due to COVID-19 issues.

The timing of the trip was for March which is in Spring and is the dry season. It’s also a very popular time to visit Vietnam for birders and any trip needs to be booked well in advance. Other than the very hot weather in Cat Tien NP we have very pleasant weather up at Da Lat, mainly sunny and cool.  

Overall Vietnam had well maintained roads, minimal traffic away from the cities, good accommodation and meals, plus friendly and hospitable people.  Although the COVID-19 issues had many locals avoiding westerners towards the end of the trip which was understandable.

White-crested Laughingthrush (Cat Tien NP)

Resources

“Birds of Vietnam” by Richard Craik & Lé Quý Minh, published in December 2018, is an excellent guide, one of the best for SE Asia

“Vietnam Birding” iPhone app which has photos and calls of most of the Vietnam birds

eBird has useful information on range maps, photos and recent sightings. All the sites visited during the trip and my various bird lists have been published on eBird.  

Trip Report

Friday 6^th March: Kuala Lumpur to HCMC

Flew on Malaysian Airlines in the morning on the two-hour flight from KL to HCMC. I had obtained a visa from the Vietnam embassy in Canberra prior to arrival and passport control was efficient and quick. I met up with Desireé and Marius Davis at the airport, they had just flown in from HK, and we took a taxi to our accommodation.

Stayed at the Place in Saigon apartment for the night, which is on a river in HCMC. Had a good meal at a local restaurant that evening.  

Saturday 7^th March: HCMC to Cat Tien NP

Tien of Vietnam Pitta Tours met us at the accommodation at 6 am and we drove though the quiet HCMC heading northeast towards Cat Tien NP.  We had a very comfortable and spacious mini van for the four of us plus the driver. After a stop for breakfast, we spent the rest of the day birding at a couple of bird hides in a forest south of Cat Tien NP.

White-throated Rock Thrush

Birding for the day was excellent with two Pitta species, the Blue-rumped Pitta and Bar-bellied Pitta (near endemic), being the top birds. Other highlights included Siamese Fireback, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Indochinese Green Magpie (yellow bellied “chauleti” subspecies), Scaly-crowned Babbler (near-endemic) and White-throated Rock Thrush.  

Bar-bellied Pitta 

Blue-rumped Pitta

We arrived at Cat Tien NP after sunset and took the ferry across to the accommodation, which was spacious and air conditioned. We had meals at the local restaurant during our stay at Cat Tien. 

Siamese Fireback (female)

Sunday 8^th March: Cat Tien NP

We started birding just after 6 am at a nearby bird hide and I also did some birding in the surrounding area.

Highlights included Green-legged Partridge (“cognacqi” subspecies), Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Slaty-legged Crake, Black-and-red Broadbill (“siamensis” subspecies), Large Woodshrike, Great Iora, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Grey-faced Tit-babbler (near-endemic) and White-crested Laughingthrush.

Germain's Peacock- Pheasant

Slaty-legged Crake (juvenile)

Walking back to my accommodation, I saw a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo chase a bird into the tree above me. Looking up I saw a Crested Goshawk which is a great looking raptor.

Crested Goshawk

At 3 pm we took a jeep ride south to an area which was old farmland and open forest. We had some excellent birding through to sunset including a pair of Pale-headed Woodpecker, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Golden-crested Myna, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Racket-tailed Treepie, Purple-naped Sunbird, the magnificent Green Peafowl (one came down to drink at a waterhole and the other seen in flight), Woolly-necked Stork and Great Eared Nightjar calling and flying overhead just after sunset.

Green Peafowl (adult male)

Monday 9^th March: Cat Tien NP

We took a jeep ride north and started birding just after 6 am walking back along the road.

Birding was very slow in the forest however we managed to get some good birds including Green-billed Malkoha, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Orange-breasted Trogon (“stellae” subspecies), Banded Kingfisher, Greater Yellownape, Golden-crested Myna at its nesting hole and Golden-fronted Leafbird.

White-rumped Shama

I walked down to the river and found a Stork-billed Kingfisher which is an uncommon resident for Vietnam.   

River on the boundary of Cat Tien NP

Late afternoon we birded from 4 pm till after 8 pm for some night birds. We had four Dusky Broadbill plus Black-and-red Broadbill before sunset, then Large-tailed Nightjar and Great Eared Nightjar at dusk.

In the evening we went looking for Hodgson’s Frogmouth, which had taken 5 hours over two nights to get in NE India a week or so earlier. We had no luck that evening with the Frogmouth but did have an Oriental Bay Owl calling. Eventually it came in closer and crossed the road several times. Despite a lot of searching we couldn’t locate the very small owl, however I did manage to get a brief view as it flew through the torchlight. The Oriental Bay Owl was one of the top birds of the trip for myself and the only lifer for the day.

Tuesday 10^th March: Cat Tien NP to Di Linh

We started birding just after 6:30 am walking along some trails through the forest near the Cat Tien accommodation.

Birding for the three hours in the morning was more productive than the previous morning with highlights being Oriental Dollarbird, White-browed Piculet, pair of Laced Woodpecker, Red-breasted Parakeet, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Rufescent Prinia and Ruby-cheeked Sunbird.

White-browed Scimitar Babbler

We packed up and left at about 10 am and headed up to Di Linh which was much cooler than Cat Tien. We spent the afternoon at a bird hide and I did some roadside birding as well. Highlights for the afternoon were White-bellied Erpornis, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Chinese Blue Flycatcher, Buff-breasted Babbler and Black-hooded Laughingthrush (near-endemic).

Black-hooded Laughingthrush

That evening we went to a fish restaurant but weren’t allowed to eat there due to COVID-19 concerns.

Wednesday 11^th March: Di Linh to Da Lat

When we met up for the morning’s birding, Tien informed us that the Cat Tien NP had been closed due to COVID-19 issues. This was the first of the national park closures in Vietnam during our trip.

Vietnamese Greenfinch

We drove up into the forested hills close to Di Linh for some birding from a hide followed by roadside birding. Had an excellent morning with lovely views of an adult male Blue Pitta, top bird for the day and a bird I had only heard previously in Thailand. Other highlights included Red-vented Barbet (near-endemic), Indochinese Barbet (near-endemic), Maroon Oriole, Orange-headed Thrush (“buff-throated” subspecies), Black-throated Sunbird and Vietnamese Greenfinch.

Blue Pitta (adult male)

Orange-headed Thrush (innotata subspecies)

Also had a group of Black-throated Bushtit (“grey-crowned” subspecies) which is split by HBW but not IOC or Clements. The Grey-crowned Bushtit (subspecies) is a local resident with an isolated range within central Vietnam extending into the adjacent Cambodia and Laos. The bird looks quite different to the nominate race of the Black-throated Bushtit. 

Black-throated Bushtit Range

  

Later in the morning we headed back to Di Linh with a roadside stop where we found the recently split Annam Prinia (near-endemic) perched nicely in the open. Tien was involved with collecting a specimen of the Brown Prinia, as it was then known, which was used for the scientific research which resulted in the species split to Annam Prinia. Also had Yellow-eyed Babbler in the same roadside scrub.

Annam Prinia

We continued onto Da Lat and checked into our Dreams II hotel, the best hotel of the trip, before going out again in the late afternoon.

Birding around the western shores of the Tuyen Lam Lake produced Grey Nightjar (heard only), Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Slender-billed Oriole, Burmese Shrike, Eurasian Jay (“white-faced” subspecies split by HBW but not IOC or Clements), White-cheeked Laughingthrush (near-endemic), Chestnut-vented Nuthatch and Black-collared Starling.

Eurasian Jay (White-faced)

Burmese Shrike

We did some birding within the town of Da Lat in the evening and had Grey Nightjar, Large-tailed Nightjar and Oriental Scops Owl, all birds heard and seen.

That evening we also heard that Bach Ma NP had been closed due to COVID-19 issues. As we were scheduled to spend two nights there, we decided on an extra night in Da Lat and also Yok Don NP.

Thursday 12^th March: Da Lat to Bi Doup Nui Ba NP

After a splendid breakfast at 5:30 am at our Da Lat hotel, we left for a full days birding in the Bi Doup Nui Ba National Park arriving just before 7 am. We went into a bird hide where we had an excellent morning’s birding which provided by far the best birding of the trip. After lunch I did some birding along the road which produced some great birds.  

The many highlights included Rufous-throated Partridge (“annamensis” subspecies), Slaty-legged Crake, splendid pair of Blue Pitta, Dalat Shrike-babbler (endemic), Clicking Shrike-babbler (“intermedius” subspecies which is provisionally split by HBW to “indochinensis” race for south Annam), Grey-bellied Tesia in the open, White-spectacled Warbler, Grey-throated Babbler (“rileyi” subspecies), Black-crowned Fulvetta (endemic), Mountain Fulvetta (“annamensis” subspecies), Black-browed Fulvetta, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler (endemic “danjoui” subspecies of south Annam – also known as Indochinese Wren-babbler), Vietnamese Cutia (near-endemic), Collared Laughingthrush (endemic), Black-headed Sibia (endemic “robinsoni” or “white-spectacled” subspecies), Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (endemic), White-cheeked Laughingthrush (near-endemic), Yellow-billed Nuthatch (near-endemic), Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Lesser Shortwing (near-endemic “langbianensis” subspecies), pair of White-tailed Robin, Spotted Forktail, Snowy-browed Flycatcher and Mrs Gould’s Sunbird (near-endemic “annamensis” or “purple-rumped” subspecies).   

Rufous-throated Partridge

Grey-bellied Tesia

Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler

Collared Laughingthrush

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush

White-cheeked Laughingthrush

White-tailed Robin

Spotted Forktail

On the way back to Da Lat we stopped at a pine forest and had Long-tailed Minivet (endemic “annamensis” subspecies), Green-backed Tit, Vietnamese Cutia and Chestnut-vented Nuthatch.

After a disappointing dinner the previous evening, we tried a better restaurant that evening.     

Friday 13^th March: Da Lat

Tien updated us in the morning on the COVID-19 restrictions in Vietnam and by now all the national parks had been closed, various towns were being isolated, some roads blockaded and even forest reserves were off limits. Over the day we considered various options for the rest of the birding trip. As Desireé and Marius had transited via Hong Kong, there were new requirements for a 14 day quarantine period (outside of China, HK, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Denmark) prior to entering Thailand, which was their next destination. I had also heard that Australia was soon to close its borders to international travellers and many airlines were drastically reducing their international flight schedules.

This severely limited our options for birding however luckily, we were still able to visit some sites near Da Lat. After breakfast we took the short drive to the Ta Nung Valley. We had a short roadside stop on the way and saw Grey-crowned Crocias (endemic) and the Blue-winged Minla (near-endemic “orientalis” or “Plain Minla” subspecies). The Plain Minla looks quite different to the Blue-winged Minla, being a plain brownish babbler with a fairly long tail and pale-yellow eyes.

Grey-crowned Crocias

At the Ta Nung Valley we had some excellent birding with the highlights being Crested Serpent Eagle, Collared Owlet seen, Indochinese Barbet, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, Hill Prinia, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Grey-crowned Crocias, Rufous-backed Sibia (endemic “eximia” subspecies with the dark back) and Asian Fairy-bluebird.

Crested Serpent Eagle

Hill Prinia

After lunch we went to the western shores of the Tuyen Lam Lake for some excellent late afternoon birding. Highlights included Red-vented Barbet (near-endemic), Necklaced Barbet (near-endemic), Grey-headed Woodpecker, Dalat Shrike-babbler, Vietnamese Cutia and Black-headed Parrotbill (near-endemic). Parrotbills are pretty special birds to see and this was only my fourth Parrotbill species.

Red-vented Barbet

In the evening we tried an Italian restaurant, which had pizzas and lasagna, quite different to the usual Vietnamese food.

Saturday 14^th March: Da Lat

Tien updated us on further closures in Vietnam which was now including cities such as Hoi An and many hotels were closing or refusing to take foreign guests. The hotel we were staying at in Da Lat was to close as soon as we left and had already cancelled all new bookings. We had a BirdTourAsia birding group of mainly Americans at the hotel for a couple of nights and they had shortened their trip and were heading home. Other birding tour groups in Vietnam had cut short their trips a few days earlier.

I took the decision to get out of Vietnam as soon as possible, whilst airlines were still flying and to avoid getting caught up in lock-downs and enforced quarantines. I booked a direct flight on AirAsia from Da Lat to Kuala Lumpur for Monday and then managed to negotiate the cost down for changing my return flight on Malaysian Airlines from KL to Melbourne for Tuesday.

I offered Marius and Desireé the option of flying to KL with me on the Monday and spending a few nights in KL. Malaysia had fewer travel restrictions and had more flight options to get back to South Africa. Marius and Desireé decided to stay in Vietnam and eventually flew back home the following Saturday.

As of 28^th March, major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Can Tho and Da Nang had been shut down, except for essential services, and most airlines have stopped flying including AirAsia and Vietnam Airlines. Vietnam is still one of the safest Asian countries to be in and their COVID-19 infection rates are very low due to the early proactive steps they took to isolate infected areas, close schools back in February, compulsory face masks in public places and other restrictions put in place far earlier than many western countries.

For birding we headed up northeast of Da Lat and had about 14 Red-breasted Parakeet at a roadside stop, initially thought to be Grey-headed Parakeet. Shortly after this Tien spotted a Red Crossbill (endemic “meridionalis” subspecies) which we had been looking for a few days. This Da Lat Plateau subspecies looks quite different to the ones I had seen in India a few weeks prior.

Red Crossbill (Dalat subspecies)

We then stopped at a bridge over a small river and soon heard a Dalat Bush Warbler calling. This is an endemic species to Vietnam and was recently split from the Russet Bush-warbler or Russet Grasshopper-warbler. This is a skulking bird and very difficult to see, however I did manage to get a brief view as one flew between patches of reeds.

Had some good birding in the area with lovely views of Necklaced Barbet, Clicking Shrike-babbler, Purple-rumped Sunbird and Kloss’s Leaf Warbler. The Kloss’s Leaf Warbler was the second lifer for the morning.

Necklaced Barbet

Purple-rumped Sunbird

We were going to head further up the road to some forests northeast of Da Lat but the road had been blockaded and the forests were off limits.

After lunch, we went to another part of Tuyen Lam Lake in the late afternoon. We had repeated views of Barred Buttonquail crossing a track plus Plaintive Cuckoo, large flock of Black-collared Starling, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Kloss’s Leaf Warbler and Grey Bush Chat.

Barred Buttonquail

Sunday 15^th March: Da Lat

After a good breakfast, we spent a pleasant morning at Ta Nung Valley with many White-cheeked Laughingthrush seen. Had 38 species for the morning which included Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher and Common Kingfisher as new birds for the trip.

Black-headed Sibia (endemic “robinsoni” or “white-spectacled” subspecies)

After lunch we had some late afternoon birding on the western shores of the Tuyen Lam Lake. Excellent birding again for this area with Mountain Hawk-eagle, Long-tailed Broadbill, Kloss’s Leaf Warbler, Vietnamese Cutia, Ashy Bulbul and a splendid male Fire-breasted Flowerpecker.

That evening we had an excellent meal at a restaurant recommended by the owner of our hotel.   

Monday 16^th March: Da Lat to Kuala Lumpur

Had a late breakfast and then took the midday AirAsia flight to KL which was only about 20% full. The airport at KL was empty and the city was very quiet too, even for the peak afternoon traffic. Other than not many people around, KL was pretty normal although the day after I left, Malaysia went into lock-down.

Sunset over Tuyen Lam Lake in Da Lat

Spent the night in Kuala Lumpur at the Melia hotel which had been heavily discounted.

Tuesday 17^th March: Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne

Checked in my luggage at the Central Station in KL in the morning and then took the KLIA Express to the airport. The flight back to Australia was pretty full and on arrival we were handed a pamphlet with instructions on 14-day self-isolation. Other than that, there was no thermal screening or questionnaires or testing of any of the international arrivals.

Overall an excellent trip and I don’t regret doing the trip despite the COVID-19 issues. Will probably do another trip with Tien to the far northern parts of Vietnam in the future.

Mammals

The following mammals were identified:

Primates

Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)

Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

Black-shanked Douc Monkey (Pygathrix nigripes)

Lesser Apes [Gibbons] (Hylobatidae)

Red-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae)

Rodentia

Squirrels & Marmots (Sciuridae)

Cambodian Striped Squirrel (Tamiops rodolphii)

Birds

A total of 216 birds were recorded by myself which included 26 lifers. This species list is according to the latest IOC taxonomy, updated January 2020, with subspecies identified where possible:

GALLIFORMES

Pheasants and allies (Phasianidae)

Rufous-throated Partridge (Arborophila rufogularis annamensis)

Green-legged Partridge (Scaly-breasted) (Arborophila chloropus [chloropus-group])

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

Siamese Fireback (Lophura diardi)

Germain's Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron germaini)

Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus imperator)

CAPRIMULGIFORMES

Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)

Great Eared Nightjar (Lyncornis macrotis cerviniceps)

Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jotaka)

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus bimaculatus)

APODIFORMES

Swifts (Apodidae)

Germain's Swiftlet (Aerodramus germani germani)

Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis infumatus)

House Swift (Apus nipalensis nipalensis)

CUCULIFORMES

Cuckoos (Cuculidae)

Greater Coucal (Greater) (Centropus sinensis intermedius)

Lesser Coucal (Centropus bengalensis bengalensis)

Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis tristis)

Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus chinensis)

Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus xanthorhynchus)

Banded Bay Cuckoo (Cacomantis sonneratii sonneratii)

Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus querulus)

Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus)

COLUMBIFORMES

Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)

Rock Dove (Feral) (Columba livia 'feral')

Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis orientalis)

Red Turtle Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica humilis)

Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)

Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica indica)

Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata)

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Treron bicinctus bicinctus)

Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra nipalensis)

Green Imperial Pigeon (Green) (Ducula aenea sylvatica)

Mountain Imperial Pigeon (Mountain) (Ducula badia griseicapilla)

GRUIFORMES

Rails, Crakes and Coots (Rallidae)

Slaty-legged Crake (Rallina eurizonoides telmatophila)

PODICIPEDIFORMES

Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei)

CHARADRIIFORMES

Buttonquail (Turnicidae)

Barred Buttonquail (Barred) (Turnix suscitator blakistoni)

Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

CICONIIFORMES

Storks (Ciconiidae)

Woolly-necked Stork (Asian) (Ciconia episcopus episcopus)

SULIFORMES

Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)

Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)

Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)

PELECANIFORMES

Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)

Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus)

Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus)

Intermediate Egret (Intermediate) (Ardea intermedia intermedia)

Little Egret (Western) (Egretta garzetta garzetta)

ACCIPITRIFORMES

Ospreys (Pandionidae)

Western Osprey (Eurasian) (Pandion haliaetus haliaetus)

Kites, Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

Mountain Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis nipalensis)

Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus indicus)

STRIGIFORMES

Barn Owls (Tytonidae)

Oriental Bay Owl (Phodilus badius saturatus)

Owls (Strigidae)

Oriental Scops Owl (Otus sunia)

Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei brodiei)

Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides)

TROGONIFORMES

Trogons (Trogonidae)

Orange-breasted Trogon (Spice) (Harpactes oreskios stellae)

BUCEROTIFORMES

Hornbills (Bucerotidae)

Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Northern) (Anthracoceros albirostris albirostris)

CORACIIFORMES

Rollers (Coraciidae)

Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

Banded Kingfisher (Banded) (Lacedo pulchella amabilis)

Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis burmanica)

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

White-throated Kingfisher (White-throated) (Halcyon smyrnensis perpulchra)

Common Kingfisher (Common) (Alcedo atthis bengalensis)

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (Black-backed) (Ceyx erithaca erithaca)

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis leucomelanurus)

Bee-eaters (Meropidae)

Green Bee-eater (Asian) (Merops orientalis ferrugeiceps)

PICIFORMES

Asian Barbets (Megalaimidae)

Red-vented Barbet (Psilopogon lagrandieri)

Lineated Barbet (Psilopogon lineatus hodgsoni)

Green-eared Barbet (Psilopogon faiostrictus)

Necklaced Barbet (Psilopogon auricularis)

Indochinese Barbet (Psilopogon annamensis)

Blue-eared Barbet (Blue-eared) (Psilopogon duvaucelii orientalis)

Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus indicus)

Woodpeckers (Picidae)

White-browed Piculet (Sasia ochracea)

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus canicapillus)

Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha)

Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus)

Laced Woodpecker (Picus vittatus)

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)

Common Flameback (Dinopium javanense intermedium)

Greater Flameback (Greater) (Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus guttacristatus)

Pale-headed Woodpecker (Gecinulus grantia indochinensis)

PSITTACIFORMES

Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)

Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri fasciata)

PASSERIFORMES

Typical Broadbills (Eurylaimidae)

Black-and-red Broadbill (Black-and-red) (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos siamensis)

Long-tailed Broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae)

Dusky Broadbill (Corydon sumatranus laoensis)

Pittas (Pittidae)

Blue-rumped Pitta (Hydrornis soror)

Blue Pitta (Hydrornis cyaneus)

Bar-bellied Pitta (Hydrornis elliotii)

Vangas and allies (Vangidae)

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus picatus)

Large Woodshrike (Tephrodornis virgatus)

Ioras (Aegithinidae)

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

Great Iora (Aegithina lafresnayei)

Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae)

Grey-chinned Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris)

Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus)

Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus)

Ashy Minivet (Pericrocotus divaricatus)

Large Cuckooshrike (Coracina macei)

Black-winged Cuckooshrike (Lalage melaschistos)

Indochinese Cuckooshrike (Lalage polioptera)

Shrikes (Laniidae)

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Burmese Shrike (Lanius collurioides)

Vireos, Greenlets (Vireonidae)

White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca)

Dalat Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius annamensis)

Clicking Shrike-Babbler (Clicking) (Pteruthius intermedius intermedius)

Figbirds, Orioles (Oriolidae)

Maroon Oriole (Oriolus traillii)

Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus xanthornus)

Slender-billed Oriole (Oriolus tenuirostris)

Drongos (Dicruridae)

Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)

Ashy Drongo (Sooty) (Dicrurus leucophaeus [leucophaeus-group])

Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus aeneus)

Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer)

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

Fantails (Rhipiduridae)

White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis)

Monarchs (Monarchidae)

Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea styani)

Crows, Jays (Corvidae)

Eurasian Jay (White-faced) (Garrulus glandarius leucotis)

Indochinese Green Magpie (Cissa hypoleuca)

Racket-tailed Treepie (Crypsirina temia)

Eastern Jungle Crow (Corvus levaillantii)

Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae)

Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis calochrysea)

Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)

Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)

Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)

Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus flaviventris)

Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)

Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster)

Stripe-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus finlaysoni)

Stripe-throated Bulbul (Stripe-throated) (Pycnonotus finlaysoni eous)

Flavescent Bulbul (Pycnonotus flavescens)

Streak-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus conradi)

Puff-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus pallidus)

Ochraceous Bulbul (Ochraceous) (Alophoixus ochraceus hallae)

Grey-eyed Bulbul (Iole propinqua)

Mountain Bulbul (Ixos mcclellandii)

Ashy Bulbul (Hemixos flavala)

Ashy Bulbul (Brown-backed) (Hemixos flavala remotus)

Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)

Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Cettia bush warblers and allies (Cettiidae)

Mountain Tailorbird (Phyllergates cucullatus coronatus)

Grey-bellied Tesia (Tesia cyaniventer)

Bushtits (Aegithalidae)

Black-throated Bushtit (Grey-crowned) (Aegithalos concinnus annamensis)

Leaf warblers and allies (Phylloscopidae)

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)

White-spectacled Warbler (Phylloscopus intermedius)

Grey-cheeked Warbler (Phylloscopus poliogenys)

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus tenellipes)

Blyth's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus reguloides)

Kloss's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus ogilviegranti)

Grassbirds and allies (Locustellidae)

Dalat Bush Warbler (Locustella idonea)

Cisticolas and Allies (Cisticolidae)

Annam Prinia (Prinia rocki)

Hill Prinia (Prinia superciliaris)

Rufescent Prinia (Prinia rufescens)

Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)

Dark-necked Tailorbird (Orthotomus atrogularis nitidus)

Babblers (Timaliidae)

White-browed Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus schisticeps)

Red-billed Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps)

Grey-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigriceps rileyi)

Pin-striped Tit-Babbler (Macronus gularis)

Grey-faced Tit-babbler (Macronus kelleyi)

Chestnut-capped Babbler (Timalia pileata)

Fulvettas, Ground Babblers (Pellorneidae)

Black-crowned Fulvetta (Alcippe klossi)

Mountain Fulvetta (Alcippe peracensis annamensis)

Black-browed Fulvetta (Alcippe grotei grotei)

Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler (Jabouilleia danjoui)

Abbott's Babbler (Malacocincla abbotti)

Scaly-crowned Babbler (Malacopteron cinereum indochinense)

Puff-throated Babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps)

Buff-breasted Babbler (Pellorneum tickelli)

Laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae)

Vietnamese Cutia (Cutia legalleni)

Grey-crowned Crocias (Laniellus langbianis)

Collared Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron yersini)

Blue-winged Minla (Actinodura cyanouroptera)

Blue-winged Minla (Actinodura cyanouroptera orientalis)

Rufous-backed Sibia (Leioptila annectens)

Rufous-backed Sibia (Leioptila annectens eximia)

Black-headed Sibia (Lang Bian) (Heterophasia desgodinsi robinsoni)

White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus diardi)

Black-hooded Laughingthrush (Garrulax milleti)

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush (Garrulax annamensis)

White-cheeked Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus vassali)

Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)

Yellow-eyed Babbler (Chrysomma sinense sinense)

Black-headed Parrotbill (Psittiparus margaritae)

White-eyes (Zosteropidae)

Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus siamensis)

Fairy-bluebirds (Irenidae)

Asian Fairy-bluebird (Asian) (Irena puella puella)

Nuthatches (Sittidae)

Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (Sitta nagaensis)

Yellow-billed Nuthatch (Sitta solangiae)

Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae)

Golden-crested Myna (Ampeliceps coronatus)

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis tristis)

Black-collared Starling (Gracupica nigricollis)

Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica nemoricola)

Thrushes (Turdidae)

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina)

Orange-headed Thrush (Orange-headed) (Geokichla citrina innotata)

Orange-headed Thrush (Buff-throated) (Geokichla citrina aurimacula)

Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)

White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus macrourus)

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica)

Rufous-browed Flycatcher (Anthipes solitaris submoniliger)

Hainan Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis hainanus)

Pale Blue Flycatcher (Unicolored) (Cyornis unicolor unicolor)

Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis sumatrensis indochina)

Chinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis glaucicomans)

Large Niltava (Niltava grandis)

Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus thalassinus)

Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophris langbianensis)

Siberian Blue Robin (Larvivora cyane)

White-tailed Robin (White-tailed) (Myiomela leucura leucura)

Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus)

Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki)

Snowy-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula hyperythra)

Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni langbianis)

White-throated Rock Thrush (Monticola gularis)

Stejneger's Stonechat (Saxicola stejnegeri)

Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata burmanicus)

Grey Bush Chat (Saxicola ferreus)

Leafbirds (Chloropseidae)

Blue-winged Leafbird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis)

Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons)

Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae)

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Fire-breasted) (Dicaeum ignipectus ignipectus)

Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird (Chalcoparia singalensis koratensis)

Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis)

Mrs. Gould's Sunbird (Purple-rumped) (Aethopyga gouldiae annamensis)

Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata johnsi)

Purple-naped Sunbird (Kurochkinegramma hypogrammicum)

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna)

Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus malaccensis)

Waxbills, Munias and Allies (Estrildidae)

White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata)

Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea cinerea)

Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus)

Finches (Fringillidae)

Vietnamese Greenfinch (Chloris monguilloti)

Red Crossbill (Da Lat) (Loxia curvirostra meridionalis)